Toowoomba perpetrators charged under tough new DV laws

POLICE charged nearly 30 people in Toowoomba with serious offences under tough new domestic violence laws.

The 31 charges of non-fatal strangulation, which was introduced in April 2016 by the Queensland Department of Justice, led to Toowoomba police charging 28 offenders in the past 12 months.

Domestic violence prevention services praised the new laws which allow a perpetrator to be charged with strangulation even if the incident isn't fatal.

Relationships Australia's South West regional manager Sonya Kupfer said there was a strong link between strangulation in domestic violence situations and eventual homicide.

"We are most appreciative of the new laws as we understand the likelihood of homicide increases by up to 750% for victims who have been previously strangled, compared to victims who have never been strangled," she said.

"Although it is a very small step, it is a step in the right direction toward the criminalisation of domestic and family violence and increased accountability for those who choose to use power and control in relationships."

Nearly 800 offenders were charged across Queensland under the new laws, which were introduced in response to the Not Now, Not Ever report on domestic violence.

On top of the 483 domestic violence-related charges laid by Toowoomba police since December 2015, 586 Toowoomba people presented themselves to Relationships Australia seeking services.

Ms Kupfer said while no trends existed on DV presentations, specific types of domestic violence had been increasing.

"Presentations at our Domestic and Family Violence Service are on the increase," she said.

"No one can really pinpoint why. However what we see in the DFVP Service is an increase in physical violence, an increase in the types of implements used to inflict pain, and a dramatic increases in the use of technology to stalk, track and cause harm.

"We hear from those we work with that this all forms part of a massive 'push back' by perpetrators against the 'do gooders' and those in the community calling for gender equity and change, and an increased attempt to keep women in their place in these particular relationships."